Electrical switch.



B. D. HORTON. ELEGTRIGAL SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED JULY 31, 1912. 1,1 29.56. Panted Feb. 23, 1915.

V. I s l I I I l l l 1 e I l 1 l 1 l 1 I l nnrr s BRYSON I). HORTON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO DETROIT USE & MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 23, MM50 My present invention relates to electrical l switches of that type which are known as protected or armor-clad electrical switches,

l in which the switch mechanism is inclosed in a metal case provided with ahinged cover, which has fastened thereto a portion of the switch mechanism, the other portion of the switch mechanism being mounted upon and fastened to the bottom of the metal case.

My invention particularly relates to providing a means for accelerating the makeand-break operation of the switch parts.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my invention as applied to a well known type of switch.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, the figure illustrates, in vertical section, a combined double-pole switch, in which it is impossible to close the cover with the switch blades.in the on position, and also impossible to open the cover when the blades are in that position, it being necessary to withdraw the blades to the oil position both toclose and open the cover; and while my invention has been devised for coperation with this form of switch primarily, it is manifest that the broad idea is equally applicable to switches of different specific construction. l

A general detailed description of the switch illustrated will now be given to show the manner in which my invention operates, and this by way of example only, to wit:

The numeral 1 indicates the outer case provided with a cover or top 2, hinged at 3, and provided with securing means 4. On the under side of the cover and attached thereto, is arranged a rapid make-and--break switching mechanism, having a reciprocating movement in a vertical direction. 'I his mechanism comprises a band-spring 5, secured at its central portion to the cover by means of suitable screws 6, and having depending spring-ends 7, which are provided with suitable slots 8.

9 indicates one of two rods which are mounted, as shown, projecting ythrough the lid or cover, and connected attheir upper ends by 'a crosshead 10. These rods carry at their lower extremity and are connected tcgether by a crosshead of insulating material, indicated at 11. 'Io this insulated member ll are fastened knife-switch-blades 1&2v and fuse clips (not shown). The knife-blades l2 cooperate with the fixed contacts 1Q, which are carried by an insulating block 12'", fastened to the bottom of the receptacle. Centrally of the crosshead and depending therefrom, is a plunger 13, which is arranged to enter a socket 14 when the lid 2 is .in its closed position, and when the switch mechanism is in its off position to abut the top wall of the socket indicated at 15, should an attempt be made to close the lid or cover 2 when the switch blades are in their depressed or on position, thus preventing the closing of either switch or receptacle.

In order to accomplish a quick make-andbreak of the switch mechanism, a pair of metal plates 1G are provided, which straddle the plunger 13 at one end and are sprung into the slots 8 of the spring-arms or members 7 at their other end. rIhese plates are acted upon by the spring-arms 7 to apply spring pressure to the plunger mechanism upwardly or downwardly, as thecase may be, after they have passed their dead center, thus accelerating the make-and-break movement of the plunger mechanism. Now in order to increase the rapidity of this makeand-break operation and to obtain greater acceleration of these movements, I provide a coiled-spring 17, fastened at one end to the crosshead 10, and at the other end to a handle or lever 18, the latter being pivoted at 19 to an inverted V-shaped support 20, fastened to and carried by the lid 2. By employing the spring 17, I provide means whereby greater acceleration ofr movemrgit of the switch mechanism is had than i'vfh lever had a direct, non-yielding connection with the plunger-rods 9. It will be understood that if the lever 18 were rigidly connected with the plunger mechanism, the movement ofthe plunger mechanism would be commensurate with the movement of the handle 18, which movement would be limited to the physical eil'ort exerted by the hand of the operator. It will therefore be apparent that by providing this yielding connection, the operating power is gradually stored therein until the required amount of tension is obtained in the spring to overcome the resistance occasioned by the interior springarms 7 and plates 16 and the frictional adherence between the contacts. Thus an increased rapidity in the movement of the parts of the mechanism is accomplished. As

, soon as the plates 16 have passed their dead center in either direction, the power of both the springs 17 and spring-'arms 7 is 'exerted to cause the 'rapid make-and-break that is desired. The tension on the spring 17 is instantly applied and becomes active either to close or open the switch. With this a1'- rangement it makes no substantial difference whether the operating handle 18 is given a slow or fast movement by the handle of the user. The rapidity of the makeand-break operation of the switch mechanism is in either case approximately the same.

copies of this patent 'inay be obtained for In a protected or armor-clad switch of f the character described, the combination of' a metallic housing provided. with a hinged cover, a switch mechanism within the housing including spring-actuated movable contacts, a plunger reciprocally mounted in the cover cooperatively associated with the mov able contacts, an exterior operating lever pivotally mounted on the cover, a spiral spring connected at one end to the loperating handle and at its other end to the switch plunger, adapted to accelerate the movement of the switch mechanism within the switch housing.

In witness whereof I have hereunto 4set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BRYsoN n. HonroN.

Vitnesses:

T. J. KAUFFMAN,

H. A. LIDrrWARDT.

:live cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washingtom). C. 

